Policies & guidelines

Halifax Transit has designed policies and guidelines to ensure a positive and safe travel experience for both you and the bus/ferry operators.

Food and beverages

On Halifax Transit buses

You can bring food or drink carried within sealable (spill proof) containers on Halifax Transit buses. As there is the potential for spillage during the acceleration or deceleration of a transit bus, and as buses may decelerate rapidly to avoid traffic hazards, food of any kind may not be consumed. Beverages such as coffee may be consumed on Halifax Transit buses contingent on the use of sealable containers. Single use disposable coffee cups are not permitted .

On Halifax ferries

Food and drinks are permitted, and waste bins are provided. Under no circumstances is open alcohol allowed onboard or to be consumed on any Halifax Transit vehicle.

Pets

Pets are not allowed on Halifax Transit vehicles unless properly restrained in a closed pet container that prevents them from escaping. Passengers carrying an appropriate container may travel with the container either on their lap or placed on the floor. The containers cannot impede free passage of customers or block any doors. Passengers should ensure cages are clean, free of odor, and have no sharp edges.

The transit operator, at their discretion, may not allow a passenger to board with their pet if there is a concern for the safety or comfort of fellow passengers. If only standing room is available the transit operator may refuse passage to the pet and pet owner even with an adequate container.

Service animals

Customers who require the support of a service animal are permitted to bring their service animals into all Halifax Transit facilities and on all vehicles and vessels. For the safety of all customers, service animals must be securely leashed and under the care and control of the owner at all times.

Transit operators may deny access to a service animal if the operator has reasonable grounds to believe that the service animal poses a risk of injury to other passengers. The operator will not be held responsible if a service animal causes injury to a passenger.

Customers are not required to carry identification for their service animal; however, Halifax Transit encourages the use of certification documents or municipally issued Service Animal Identification (ID) tags to assist transit operators in distinguishing between service animals and pets. Customers without identification for their service animal will be asked to provide contact information (name, address, and telephone number) to facilitate their future access to the transit system.

For the convenience of passengers who require the support of a service animal but who do not have or are unable to conveniently carry certification identification, the municipality will provide an identifiable tag to individuals who require a service animal. You can license or renew the licence for your service animal in person at any municipal Citizen Contact Centre or select veterinary clinics.

Bike racks on Halifax buses

Bike racks are located at the front of fitted buses and can hold a maximum of two bikes. Bike racks are available on a first come first serve basis. You are responsible for both loading and unloading your bike—the driver can’t help you. You cannot bring your bicycle onto the bus; if rack space is not available, you have to wait for the next bus with rack space. Racks are on select buses year round, and no cyclist is to be prohibited use when an open space on rack is available.

Luggage

Passengers are allowed to travel with luggage on all Halifax Transit buses only if the luggage can be safely stowed on the floor directly in front of you, on your lap, or in the overhead luggage rack where provided (MetroX Airport/Fall River buses only). Aisles and doorways must always be clear of any items that could impede the flow of passengers.

Bags and backpacks

Similar to luggage, your bag or backpack should not obstruct other passengers and should be stowed directly in front of you, on your lap, or in the overhead racks where provided. Bags and backpacks cannot block the doors or aisles of the bus.

Strollers

You can bring strollers on Halifax Transit vehicles as long as they are smaller than 42" x 22.5" (double wide strollers will not be allowed). The transit operator will have ultimate discretion based on the size of the stroller or the amount of room available on the bus due to load size.

All mobility devices will require at least two anchor or tie down points, and should have 4 anchor or tie down points if possible to secure the device to the bus. These are not provided by Halifax Transit and are the responsibility of the passenger to provide. Passengers using scooters are required to manoeuvre into the docking station and transfer to a fixed transit seat independently. The operator will then secure the mobile device to the bus.

Smoking

In accordance with the Smoke-free Places Act. 2002, c. 12, s. 1. “Smoking is prohibited inside Halifax Transit buildings, terminals and transit shelters, and on all transit vehicles, including ferries. Smoking is also prohibited with four (4) metres (13 feet) of entrances to any entrances, air-intake vents and open windows of Halifax Transit buildings and terminals." Further, the municipal government has taken a proactive stance on the use of e-cigarettes, which are classified in the same vein cigarettes. Therefore, any use of e-cigarettes is prohibited inside Halifax Transit buildings and terminals, and on all transit vehicles, including ferries.

Surveillance cameras

Presently, all of Halifax Transit's bus fleet, as well as its ferry terminals, have been outfitted with surveillance cameras to ensure greater security for its passengers and operators.
Signs and/or decals have been posted on the buses and terminals to advise passengers of the presence of cameras, as required by privacy laws.

Passenger clothing

All passengers are required to wear: top, bottoms, and footwear. Those failing to meet these requirements will be denied service.
Transit operators shall not deny access to passengers who are wearing religious, cultural, or medical clothing, which may include face coverings.
Skates or roller skates are not permitted to be worn on the bus.

Anti-idling

A consistent approach is taken across all Halifax business units to ensure that all municipal vehicles adhere to the following limitations:

vehicles shall never be left idling when unattended

engine warm up periods will not exceed one minute

vehicles shall be shut down whenever idling periods are expected to exceed one minute

Halifax Transit operators are expected to adhere to the three minute rule. Specifically, during any layover in excess of minutes, operators are expected to shut down the bus. Exceptions to this policy have been identified and only exist under the following circumstances:

under extreme weather conditions (heat/cold) or any other time when the health and safety of the employee or others may be jeopardized

to enable proper snow/ice clearing from vehicles

if the unit is not expected to be able to restart due to a mechanical problem

Garbage and recycling

In order to maintain a safe and sanitary environment, the transportation of garbage, recycling, or composting on Halifax Transit vehicles is prohibited. Suspected violators shall be denied access to a vehicle.

Lost and found

All found items are catalogued by the Halifax Transit Lost and Found Department. Valuable items are held for 30 days. Items not deemed valuable are held for 14 days. Perishable items are disposed of immediately. Halifax Transit staff do their best to contact the owner of the item. Call the Halifax Transit Lost and Found Department at 902.490.6617 if you think you’ve left an item on a bus or ferry.